The United States has been an important player throughout the ongoing Ukraine War. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the United States has pursued a grand strategy designed to support Ukraine’s defense, contain Russia’s aggression, and reinforce the Western-led international order—all without directly engaging in a military confrontation with Russia. The strategy is consistent with longstanding trends in US strategy, with an emphasis on deterrence, alliance building, economic influence, and global balancing. 

The United States Wants to Defend Ukraine—and Weaken Russia

One of the United States’ primary strategic objectives in the region is to weaken Russia’s military and political power. To that end, the United States has strengthened Ukraine throughout the current conflict, aiming to prevent its conquest by Russia and strengthen it as the frontline of a future European alliance. Washington has aided Kyiv throughout the war via extensive arms shipments, intelligence sharing, and financial assistance. In fact, without US assistance, Ukraine may well have fallen to Russia earlier in the war. Instead,........

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